The lockdown effect: The impact of the COVID-19-related confinement on the nature of dental emergencies and the number of patients seen at the Geneva University Hospital’s dental clinic.
Details

UNIL restricted access
State: Public
Version: After imprimatur
License: Not specified
Serval ID
serval:BIB_7FB5D957A019
Type
A Master's thesis.
Publication sub-type
Master (thesis) (master)
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The lockdown effect: The impact of the COVID-19-related confinement on the nature of dental emergencies and the number of patients seen at the Geneva University Hospital’s dental clinic.
Director(s)
SCOLOZZI P.
Institution details
Université de Lausanne, Faculté de biologie et médecine
Publication state
Accepted
Issued date
2022
Language
english
Number of pages
8
Abstract
The aim of this retrospective, monocentric study was to evaluate the effect on the number of dental consultations and their nature as a result of the country-wide lockdown due to the Covid-19 outbreak in early 2020
Methods: Data was collected on patients consulting during the confinement period (16.03 – 26.04.2020) as well as during two comparative periods (18.03 – 28.04.2019 and 19.03 – 29.04.2018). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using a t-test.
Results: During the confinement period, no significant change in patient numbers was observed. However, changes in emergency type were noted, with an increase in acute toothaches and infections but a decrease in dental traumas. On average, patients waited less time between the onset of symptoms and seeking treatment during the confinement, with more patients waiting 0-1 day before presenting to the clinic. The average age of patients was lower in 2020, explained by lower numbers of older (>65 years) patients during the Covid-19 outbreak. Overall, the type of treatments performed remained similar (P >0.05) between the groups, with a similar proportion of antibiotics prescribed and mix of treatments offered.
Conclusion: Despite the lockdown, little impact was seen in the number of emergency consults. Within the studied groups there were significant changes such as fewer older and high-risk patients. When the lockdown was put in place elective procedures were halted, however, dental institutions were authorized to treat emergencies. It is believed that as a result of this, there was little overflow of patients to the university dental clinic.
Methods: Data was collected on patients consulting during the confinement period (16.03 – 26.04.2020) as well as during two comparative periods (18.03 – 28.04.2019 and 19.03 – 29.04.2018). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using a t-test.
Results: During the confinement period, no significant change in patient numbers was observed. However, changes in emergency type were noted, with an increase in acute toothaches and infections but a decrease in dental traumas. On average, patients waited less time between the onset of symptoms and seeking treatment during the confinement, with more patients waiting 0-1 day before presenting to the clinic. The average age of patients was lower in 2020, explained by lower numbers of older (>65 years) patients during the Covid-19 outbreak. Overall, the type of treatments performed remained similar (P >0.05) between the groups, with a similar proportion of antibiotics prescribed and mix of treatments offered.
Conclusion: Despite the lockdown, little impact was seen in the number of emergency consults. Within the studied groups there were significant changes such as fewer older and high-risk patients. When the lockdown was put in place elective procedures were halted, however, dental institutions were authorized to treat emergencies. It is believed that as a result of this, there was little overflow of patients to the university dental clinic.
Keywords
Covid-19, Dental emergency, Lockdown, Dentistry
Create date
13/09/2023 8:33
Last modification date
25/07/2024 5:56